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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during an event in Jerusalem in April. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

UAE denies Israel’s Netanyahu made secret visit during Iran war

Netanyahu’s office claims a ‘historic breakthrough’, but Abu Dhabi dismisses reports of any clandestine meeting.

Vietnam

Vietnam asks US to let crucial oil tanker slip past Hormuz blockade

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Middle East

Israel strikes Lebanon as 380 reported killed since April 17 ceasefire

US, Israel war on Iran

China presses Pakistan to deepen Iran mediation ahead of Trump-Xi talks

Wang Yi highlights Strait of Hormuz security and regional stability as Middle East tensions loom over Beijing talks.

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Wang Yi said Beijing would continue supporting Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to help restore peace and stability in the Middle East. Photo: EPA
Wang Yi said Beijing would continue supporting Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to help restore peace and stability in the Middle East. Photo: EPA
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump rejects ‘garbage’ Iran peace plan before heading to China

The US president will probably seek help from China’s Xi Jinping given the lack of progress on ending the conflict with Iran.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel pushes ahead with Eichmann-style tribunal for October 7 attackers

Israeli lawmakers set up a special tribunal and allow for the death penalty for Hamas-led 2023 attackers.

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South Korea

South Korea cautious on blaming Iran for ship strike ahead of US-China summit

Seoul has footage of the May 4 attack on the HMM Namu but analysts say it is biding its time, hoping ‘the dust will settle’.

Damage to the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu is seen this undated handout photograph released on Sunday. Photo: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry/AFP
Damage to the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu is seen this undated handout photograph released on Sunday. Photo: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry/AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summit

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

Traders’ catch-cry ‘Not a chance Hormuz opens’ replaces ‘Trump always chickens out’ as grim predictions swirl over gridlock, oil prices.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US tells banks to flag suspected Iranian money-laundering networks

Banks are asked to look out for oil labelled ‘Malaysian blend’ to disguise its Iranian origin and missing or falsified shipping documents.

Middle East

Israeli soldiers jailed for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

Viral photo shows an Israeli soldier with his arm around statue, holding a cigarette up to its mouth.

An IDF soldier appearing to put a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Photo: Reuters
Israel

Israel’s election may end the Netanyahu era but not the ‘forever wars’

After nearly two decades and six terms in office, Israel’s prime minister could be on his way out. But little looks likely to change.

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Israelis protest against the war with Iran and Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv on May 2. Photo: AFP
Israelis protest against the war with Iran and Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv on May 2. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Jailed Iran Nobel laureate transferred to hospital after medical crisis

Narges Mohammadi’s transfer comes after days of pleading by her family and others who described her condition as critical.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘Playing games’: Trump calls Iran’s response to US peace proposal ‘unacceptable’

Both sides remain far apart as Tehran demands war reparations and control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran state TV.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu says war ‘not over’ until Iran’s uranium is physically removed

Israeli leader says nuclear material must be ‘taken out’, as US-Iran ceasefire remains tenuous.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Spanish, Brazilian flotilla activists released after detention in Israel

Israel deported two activists it detained near Greece for leading an aid flotilla attempting to break the naval blockade on Gaza.

Palestinians take part in a protest in solidarity with activists Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who were arrested aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, in Gaza City on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Palestinians take part in a protest in solidarity with activists Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who were arrested aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, in Gaza City on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran war no closer to ending as Gulf clashes flare

Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago.

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South Korea

South Korea draws Gulf oil storage interest as Hormuz stays closed

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE are among major oil producers looking to South Korea’s underground storage facilities, officials say.

Oil storage tanks at the Daesan petrochemical complex in Seosan, South Korea. Most of the country’s “oil reserve base” storage facilities have been built underground. Photo: Reuters
Oil storage tanks at the Daesan petrochemical complex in Seosan, South Korea. Most of the country’s “oil reserve base” storage facilities have been built underground. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

China energy security

China’s shipping firms brace for a new ‘era of chaos’ as Iran war drags on

Chinese shipping giants are signing long contracts and rejigging their networks, as they hedge against prolonged disruptions to global trade routes.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran exchange attacks around Strait of Hormuz, testing ceasefire

New hostilities broke out as Iran reviews a US proposal to end war in the Middle East.

The Iranian navy firing a missile, at an unknown location, in an image released on May 8. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran peace optimism fuels Asian stock market gains

Asian markets surge on hopes for an end to US-Iran conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, even with many risks still hanging over markets.

A pro-government billboard in Tehran, Iran, depicts the closed Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AP
A pro-government billboard in Tehran, Iran, depicts the closed Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal

Trump reiterated that Iran ‘cannot have a nuclear weapon’ as both sides combined military pressure with diplomatic efforts to end deadlock.

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Middle East

Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire

The first aerial attack on the capital since April kills a senior Hezbollah commander.

South Korea

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

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South Koreans protest in Seoul last month against an earlier request by US President Donald Trump to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP
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